Legal Services Advisory Committee (LSAC) Grant Applicant Workshop February 4, 2011

LSAC Basics 11 members appointed by the Supreme Court ◦ 7 attorneys and 4 non-attorneys Makes grants on a two year cycle that matches the legislative funding biennium Grants can either be for general operating funds or for specific projects For the first time this year, LSAC is the sole Supreme Court funding committee ◦ Historically distributed legislative and attorney registration fees ◦ Now also distributes IOLTA funding

Eligibility for LSAC Grants 501(c)(3) status Equal Opportunity Statement Board of Directors with at least one attorney and at least one client eligible member (200% of poverty at time of appointment) Provides service to eligible clients (200% of poverty) with the LSAC funding Service can be legal services, ADR, law related education, or programs to enhance the administration of justice

Available FY12-13 Funding 15% of Legislative Appropriation ◦ $1,639,500 current annual base budget, but no idea what the legislature will pass this year Attorney Registration Fees ◦ Either $1,200,000 or $1,800,000 per year IOLTA ◦ $900,000 per year – using last of reserve Worst case scenario: $2.1 million total per year Best case scenario: $4.3 million total per year, which would be a 30% cut from last grant cycle

LSAC Funding Priorities With reduced available funding, LSAC felt it was very important to establish priorities Asked the Legal Services Planning Committee to provide recommendations and LSAC relied heavily on the report in setting priorities - report is available at Applications may be funded that meet one or more the priorities; applicants that meet all the priorities have higher likelihood of full funding LSAC will not do across the board cuts

LSAC Priorities 1. Leveraging Resources LSAC very sensitive to concept that funding needs to have greatest impact possible Committee wants to see examples of innovative programming that extends reach of services and/or diverse funding sources to multiply the impact of the grant Several places you can highlight this in grant application (Questions 2, 10,15, 18)

LSAC Priorities II. Collaboration LSAC wants to see concrete examples of collaboration with other programs (both other legal services and social service providers) Collaboration to not duplicate services Collaboration to improve awareness of services in community and quality of referrals Question 11

LSAC Priorities III. Financial Health LSAC is committed to funding organizations that implement non-profit financial best practices and have sound budget planning Wants to know how grantees are planning for budget changes and monitoring their economic health Question 2b, 15, 18b and Appendix 1

LSAC Priorities IV. Protect Access Outside Twin Cities and Regional Centers In a time of cuts, LSAC does not want to exacerbate existing inequities Geographic inequities are stark – see maps at Not metro vs. rural – office vs. no office (including suburbs) LSAC will target some funding to grant projects that maintain or expand outreach to underserved communities Question 6 and 13 (for project funding)

Interviews Are New This Year Replacing site visits from last grant cycle In response to grantee feedback from last cycle that there was not enough opportunity to answer LSAC member questions about application 45 minute interview with LSAC panel; all LSAC members can submit questions Interview should include ED and/or primary staff and Board Chair Can attend by ITV or phone

Interview Pre-Screening It is possible that not every applicant will get an interview. Staff has been directed by LSAC to screen applications and flag potential issues for the committee, including: Inactive status with AG’s Charity Division Indicators of financial problems Significant departure from historical case closed data Excessive staff turnover Application meets none of the LSAC priorities

Important Reminders Appendix 1 Worksheets are closely scrutinized – must use forms provided For those who provide direct service, answer all the questions on the spreadsheet For those who provide other services, use Question 17 to provide other data – important to see that you measure your services

Timeline Applications due March 7, 2011, including data spreadsheet – no extensions Interviews on Fridays and Saturdays in April – staff will contact to schedule and will need flexibility Grant allocation meeting scheduled for June 17, 2011, assuming legislature has made final funding decisions ◦ Open to public, but no questions will be taken

Contact Staff Anytime with Questions or Concerns Bridget Gernander Everyone should be signed up to receive updates at